That scent… like mist, like smoke—lingering, stunning. He picked up a brush and wrote the name on paper: Gentle as Water, Endless as Time.
Could it be just a coincidence?
With trembling hands, Fu Yi opened the incense box in front of Prince Ping. The fragrance that drifted out was so familiar it felt like it pierced through to his soul, nearly making him drop the box.
Prince Ping took a whiff. “It truly is a fine scent. Only because the Virtuous Consort and your mother were close would she be willing to part with it. I hear these were made by that Bai family girl for Princess Huaifu. She’s young, but quite capable—charmed the princess into speaking well of the Duke of England before the Emperor more than once. His son has gotten no shortage of good posts because of it.”
Fu Yi didn’t register a single word. His mind felt split by lightning, dazed and unfocused.
How could this be a coincidence? A scent from a past life, the same name, the same formula—what kind of coincidence could that be?
Then… if it wasn’t a coincidence…
His eyes widened in shock. Of course—if he could live again, why couldn’t Qingqing?
Thinking back to how she had treated him in this life, something in Fu Yi’s heart began to take shape.
Gripping the incense box, he bolted out the door. Prince Ping called out several times, but he didn’t hear a thing.
Business at Qingxin Pavilion was better than Bai Qingqing had expected.
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Madam Qiao had told her it was normal to lose money in the first three months after opening. “Take your time,” she said. “Only by managing it with care can you slowly get on the right track.”
But when Bai Qingqing looked over the ledger, she asked, “We’re already turning a profit?”
The shopkeeper beamed. “Indeed we are. The incense the proprietor makes is extremely popular. I’ve run shops for years, and it’s rare to see something take off .”
Bai Qingqing knew full well that the success of Qingxin Pavilion owed much to the help of Princess Huaifu. When the shop opened, the Princess had gone out of her way to send an extravagant congratulatory gift, making sure that everyone in Xuancheng who paid attention would know she’d opened a fragrance store.
Any scent favored by the Princess couldn’t be ordinary. That alone made it worth taking home to try.
In any case, business was booming, and nothing could please Bai Qingqing more. She strolled through the shop she had painstakingly put together, liking every detail she laid eyes on.
“Miss, Young Master Fu is outside asking to see you.”
Bai Qingqing’s smile faded. “Fu Yi? What’s he doing here?”
When he reached the door, her manners wouldn’t allow her to turn him away outright, so she had him invited in.
Fu Yi appeared perfectly composed, greeting her with politeness. “Last time, you didn’t accept my congratulatory gift for your opening. I thought I’d bring it in person.”
Bai Qingqing almost laughed. “After your mother tried to manipulate me, how do you manage to show up as if nothing ever happened?”
“I’m very sorry. What happened… was wrong. It was my mother’s doing. Let me apologize on her behalf—”
Her expression was icy. “Let me be clear. I want nothing to do with you. You have a bright future ahead of you, and we barely know each other. If possible, please do me the courtesy of staying away.”
Fu Yi looked at her quietly, his eyes locking onto the resolute coldness in hers. Once, those same eyes had brimmed with joy and anticipation. Now, there was nothing left of that.
He lowered his head, as if seriously considering something, then said, “If that’s your wish… then at least take this box of ointment. It should help with the burn on your hand. Apply it three times a day—”
“Wasn’t it twice? Fine, I’ll take it, and you can—”
She broke off mid-sentence. A shiver ran through her. The ointment, already in her hand, suddenly slipped through her fingers and fell to the floor with a thud.